An Inspired Cook

Part 2 of our long weekend to southern NM; Joe and I took a day to hike a couple of trails around the Organ Mountains just east of Las Cruces. It was a beautiful day at the Organ Mountains with trails giving you a closer view of the rugged landscape with yuccas and cacti scattered throughout. We started off with blue skies and a light breeze, but as the day wore on, the wind started gusting with clouds swirling all around us. When we finished our last trail, we took some amazing pictures off a road parallel to the mountains. The Organ Mountains have been on my bucket list for the longest time. They remind me of The Grand Tetons, only smaller in stature. However, they do exude prominence with their jagged peaks. There is an urban legend that a painting of the Organ Mountains is the backdrop of the witches castle in “The Wizard of Oz”. In one scene, the wicked witch proclaims that the City of Oz is just over those mountains as she sends her flying monkeys out to do her bidding. If you Google it online and line up the pictures of the mountains with the backdrop of the witches castle, it looks quite plausible. Don’t take it from me, check it out for yourself!

We stopped by the visitor center to pay for a day pass. We found out that an “America the Beautiful” National Parks pass was accepted so we were good to go. We had planned to hike the Dripping Springs trail which is quite popular, but we found out a group of school children were on their way there and it would be crowded so we took a different turn and hiked a loop along the Fillmore Canyon and Crawford trail. As we started on the trail a small herd of deer were hanging out just across the road.

As you can see there are a lot of prickly pear cactus along the trail. If only we could see them a few weeks later when they are in bloom.

Looking out over the city of Las Cruces, NM.

The start of a side trail to Fillmore Waterfall.

No water flowing today, we heard that Dripping Springs was only a trickle as well.

Some of the desert cactus and yucca that we viewed along the trail.

There is a side trail called La Cueva Loop that will lead to a cave. The top picture shows a slight opening to the cave. As you get closer, the cave is indeed narrow that requires you to duck your head to enter. From the cave you have a nice view of the hills to the south. Outside the cave we came upon these grinding holes in rock slabs, also known as bedrock mortars. The Native Americans would grind corn, seeds and grains in these holes.

Heading back on our loop. Next stop is Bar Canyon Trail . . .

About 10 miles from Fillmore Canyon and Crawford Trail is the Bar Canyon Trail. As we start our hike we are starting to see the first big gusts of wind. There were some folks heading back just as we got on the trail and made me wonder if we were making a mistake starting out in the wind. However, it turns out we didn’t mind it so bad, the clouds started to take shape and made everything more beautiful. As the temperature began to rise the wind was welcome and kept us cool.

The yucca’s that line the trail are so vibrant and healthy looking.

You don’t come along many trees like this one, shaped so perfectly.

This is a side trail that goes into a box canyon where you might find a waterfall. There was no water running today but you will be surrounded by a lush oasis.

Looking up you can see where water would flow if there was any. It’s a very pretty area and is boxed in with high rock formations which makes it feels cool and slightly humid.

Once we make our way out of the box canyon, we are on the loop heading back.

We met some hikers on the trail that pointed out some deer resting. They are camouflaged by the brush and we wouldn’t have known they were there had they not pointed them out.

Along the trail is an abandoned rock house that has seen better days.

It looks calm but we are holding on to our hats in the last stretch of this hike.

If you ever find yourself close to Las Cruces, it would be well worth it to hike one of the numerous trails around the Organ Mountains!